New DRI report details decadeslong study of Yucca Mountain archaeology

Some 12,000 years of human history and prehistory at Yucca Mountain are brought to life in a report prepared by DRI archaeologist Ted Hartwell and now available to the public. Written for nontechnical audiences, the publication summarizes archaeological investigations at Yucca Mountain in southern Nye County conducted during the past two decades.

“Reading the stones: The archaeology of Yucca Mountain,” by William T. Hartwell and David Valentine, is available to schools, universities, libraries and the public by request courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy, sponsor of the study.

Nevada Medal Auction winners. Principal Research Technician Larry Sheetz, left, offered a “science day” tour of DRI as an auction prize at the 2003 Nevada Medal Dinner in Reno. Paulina Rios, Chloe Ratto and Darrin Gooch of Reno were the high bidders.

With an eye toward preserving historic properties in compliance with federal law, DOE has spent more than 20 years conducting archaeological investigations and other scientific studies following Yucca Mountain’s 1979 designation as a potential repository for longterm storage of spent nuclear fuel.

A limited number of printed copies of the glossy, four-color 78 page publication are available, and a CDROM is also available through the DRI library at 702-895-0431 or via email at library@dri.edu .